‘People’ accidentally posts Kirk Douglas obituary

TORONTO — People magazine was left red-faced this weekend when it accidentally posted an obituary for actor Kirk Douglas on its website.

Douglas, who turns 98 on Dec. 9, is reportedly still alive.

The article appeared with the headline: “DO NOT PUB Kirk Douglas Dies.” It read: “Kirk Douglas, one of the few genuine box-office names to emerge just as TV was overtaking American culture in the years right after World War II, died TK TK TK. He was 97 (DOB 12/9/1916) and had been in good health despite having suffered a debilitating 1996 stroke that rendered his speech difficult.”

(“TK” is used by journalists to indicate info is to come.)

The post, time-stamped Sept. 29, was quickly removed from the People site. But not before thousands of people saw it — and took to Twitter to comment.

“PLEASE DO PUB: Kirk Douglas isn’t dead,” tweeted Nick Barnes (imnickbarnes).

Patrick Fazio tweeted: “Report of his death is greatly exaggerated.”

“I hope he prints it out and takes a pic with it! Big smile!,” wrote Elizabeth Evans (efevans)

So far there has been no comment from People or a rep for Douglas.

It is common practice for media outlets to pre-write obituaries for certain celebrities.